Pinaalalahanan ni Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez ang Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) sa kahalagahan ng on time na rate review sa mga power distributor gaya na lang ng Meralco.
Aniya nag-ugat ang isyu sa mataas na singil ng Meralco ang kawalan ng aksyon ng ERC para ireview electricity rates.
“As the regulator, it ultimately has the huge responsibility to ensure timely implementation of rate review and approval as this assures customers that the rates they are paying are fair and reasonable,” sabi ni Rodriguez.
Kamakailan lang nang ibaba ng ERC ang desisyon nito sa rate application ng Meralco para sa mga taong 2015 hanggang 2022.
Sa panahong ito ay walang rate reset hindi lang para sa Meralco ngunit para rin sa iba pang power distributors.
Sabi ni Rodriguez na panalo ito para sa mga consumer na maaaring makakuha pa ng refund oras na matapos ang pagtalakay sa rate application ng iba pang distribution utilities.
“The recent ruling of the majority of the ERC commissioners is a win for consumers as this paves the way for the regulatory body on other rate applications by other distribution utilities pending before them that will likely result in refunds to consumers, and similarly allow ERC to proceed with the rate reset process,” ani Rodriguez.
Bago ito ay nagpatupad na ng P50 billion refund ang Meralco sa kanilang customer matapos magkusa na magsagawa ng rate review sa kabila ng kawalan ng panuntunan at rate reset sa loob ng pitong taon.
“The ERC should always keep in mind that its mandate to deliver timely and value-driven public service by ensuring a working and stable regulatory environment,” pagtatapos ng mambabatas.| ulat ni Kathleen Forbes
